EverDrive Buyers Guide
, by Av Kandola, 8 min reading time
An EverDrive is a normal looking game cartridge which has a slot for a SD card and is designed to work on real hardware and behave like a real game cartridge without any sound, graphical and lag issues. Whilst emulation is great, it tends to have lots of issues as games never seem to run perfectly due to sound, graphics and frame rate issues.
With some many different EverDrive flashcarts on the market and multiple versions for each console, it can be hard to pick the correct one. We have created this buyers guide to help and assist you in choosing the correct EverDrive.
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Contents:
1. What is an EverDrive?
2. Who is it for?
3. Why is the Krikzz range the best?
4. How does the EverDrive work?
4.1. What you need to use the EverDrive
4.2. SD Cards
4.3. OS & Games
4.4 User Interface
5. The EverDrive range
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1. What is an EverDrive?
An EverDrive is a regular looking cart with an SD card slot at the top, which enables you to back-up your original game files (ROMs) and play translated games/homebrew. It's also designed to work on real hardware as well as certain clone console, behaving just like a real game cartridge would.
A single SD/microSD card is used to store the OS, games and save data.
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2. Who is it for?
The EverDrive is perfect for retro gamers and collectors who do not want to ruin there original game cartridges due to wear and tear issues so they can back-up the game roms onto a SD card and plug into the EverDrive which then slots into the console cartridge slot. It basically can hold all your game library onto a single SD card and when the console is turned on it will offer a list of all the games you have on the SD card and you can choose which one to load.
Whilst emulation is great, it tends to have lots of issues as games never seem to run perfectly due to sound, graphics and frame rate issues.
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3. Why is the Krikzz range the best?
The EverDrive range by Krikzz is regarded as the best available by retro gamers and collectors.
Since Krikzz launched his range back in 2010, other companies attempted to duplicate the Krikzz range and attempt to make their own cheap version of EverDrive flashcarts. These knockoff flashcarts hold major issues such as games not working, blank screens, crashing and performance & sound issues.
The Krikzz range is indeed more expensive than others you can find on the market. But for that price, you get perfect compatibility and a solid build that will last you decades!
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4. How does the EverDrive work?
Using an EverDrive is virtually plug and play. You simply back-up your original game ROM's onto a SD card, alongside the operating system for the EverDrive (you can find your OS below). You then insert the SD card into the EverDrive card slot and plug the EverDrive into your original or clone console. that's it!
See video in how to insert SD card
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4.1. What you need in order to use the EverDrive?
All you really need is an original or clone console, SD card and an EverDrive. For example:
To use a Super EverDrive you need:
[1] Super Nintendo console (including power supply, AV cable and controller) or clone console such as RetroDuo
[2] Super EverDrive or SD2SNES
[3] SD card
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4.2. SD Memory Cards
The EverDrive range uses either SD or micro SD cards to store your games and firmware. It is essential that original SD cards are used and not fakes, as the EverDrive's are not compatible with fake cards.
Always use branded original SD/Micro SD cards with the best being SDHC class 6-10. The cards need to be formatted in FAT/FAT 32 in order for it to work.
EverDrive's that work with SD card: EverDrive 64 V2/V3, Super EverDrive, SD2SNES Pro, N8 & N8 Famicom.
EverDrive's that work with Micro SD card: Turbo EverDrive, GBA X5, GB X3/X5/X7, Mega EverDrive X3/X5/X7 & Master EverDrive.
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4.3. Operating System/Games
You can download the relevant OS for the EverDrive below and, unzip it into the root of the SD card.
Create a GAMES folder in the root and add your legally owned games (unzipped) into this folder. You can create sub folders for your games as well. The N8 range only support 256 games per folder so you will need a sub folder structure (A-Z, genre) etc.
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4.4 User Interface
The user interface is simple and similar between all EverDrive's. When you turn on the video game console you will be presented with a menu as shown below. All you have to do is select a game you want to play from your list and that's it! You can organise your folders in any way you desire, this can be alphabetically, genres, most played or any way you prefer.
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5. The EverDrive range
The below consoles only have one version of the EverDrive available
PC Engine/Turbo Grafx 16 - Turbo EverDrive
The Turbo EverDrive works on all PC Engine and Turbo Grafx 16 consoles. Allowing you to play all PC Engine & Turbo Grafx 16 cartridge based games from all regions.
Master System - Master EverDrive
Offers in-game save states and supports up to 1000 games per folder.
Game Gear - EverDrive GG
GameGear and SMS games are supported. This EverDrive can also be used on a Game Gear via the Master Gear converter.
GameBoy Advance - GBA X5
Near to 100% compatibility with GBA game library, with all save types supported and instant game loading.
The below console's have more than one EverDrive available
Nintendo NES PAL & NTSC
Two EverDrive's are available for the NES. The N8 for the PAL and NTSC consoles, and the N8 Famicom for the Japanese console.
Famicom, NES, and Twin Famicom systems are supported as well as many clones consoles. Save states and fast loading is featured alongside Game Genie cheat codes.
Resetting N8 CIC
If you have issues getting your Everdrive N8 to boot/work then you should reset the CIC Chip. If you notice the LED flashing on the EverDrive then continiously keep pressing the RESET (7-8 times) on the NES console until the LED changes to green.
Super Nintendo/Super Famicom (SNES)
Two different EverDrive’s are available for the SNES which are compatible with all region consoles and many clone consoles. The Super EverDrive is a entry level flashcart and the SD2SNES Pro is the premium version with instant loading games, Real Time Clock and Save feature. The SD2SNES saves games like real cartridges whilst the Super EverDrive saves by pressing the reset button on the console after saving in-game.
Comparison between Super EverDrive & SD2SNES
Nintendo 64 PAL & NTSC (N64)
Like the SNES, the N64 has two versions of the EverDrive, one titled EverDrive 64 V2.5 which is an entry level whilst the other is EverDrive 64 V3 which is a premium model which offers additional features such as Save Memory, Real Time Clock and a USB port. Both versions offer near to 100% compatibility with n64 game library.
Comparison between EverDrive 64 V2.5 & EverDrive 64 V3
MegaDrive/Genesis
The MegaDrive has three different versions with the X3 being the entry level, X5 mid level and X7 premium. The three different versions all differ in memory, hardware and features with the X7 offering a huge leap from X5, whilst the difference between X3 and X5 is not as big. The X3 & X5 are aimed at people looking to mainly play games whilst the X7 is aimed at gamers looking for the extra features such as more memory, hacked rom support, USB port and save states.
Comparison between Mega EverDrive X3, X5 & X7
GameBoy
Three different EverDrive’s are available for the GameBoy and similar to the MegaDrive the top end X7 is a huge leap from the X3 & X5 versions. The X3 & X5 are designed for people looking to play games perfectly without the extra features whilst gamers looking for the top end EverDrive which offers extra hardware power, more memory, hacked rom support and in-game saves, the X7 is the perfect choice.
Comparison between EverDrive GB X3, X5 & X7